How to Start an Online Side Hustle


E-learning Business Opportunities

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

With the global e-learning market expected to reach 400 billion dollars by 2026 more people are opting for online courses to raise their game. This has opened opportunities for those who can cash in on their knowledge by creating valuable online learning materials.

As Onlinecoursereport.com explains, selling your knowledge or other products online can get you on the fast track towards entrepreneurship or help you earn extra income on the side. This can start as a side-hustle and could grow to become a full-time job in some cases. Adding a side job can increase the income of Americans by an average of 25%.

The data comes from an infographic titled, “Using Tech To Become An Entrepreneur” created by NowSourcing.

E-learning and Other Online Business Opportunities

Online Side Hustle

Write an E-book

Simply choosing a topic you are knowledgeable about and targeting your audience with a few highly practical tricks you can publish your own e-book. You can then use Kindle’s direct publishing services with its free tools for formatting, creating a cover and promotion to earn up to 70 percent in royalties. If you want to go both print and electronic then Barnes & Noble Press can help you earn up to 65 % in royalties by publishing to Nook readers.

Apps, Online Stores, Blogs, Podcasts or YouTube Channels

You can also develop your own application through BuildFire and create a custom app for iOS and Android with no coding required. If this is not an option, you can hire a team to build, support and sell your app idea. If retail is your thing then Etsy can help you curate your own online shop. There you can sell original goods for only 20 cents per listed item plus 5% of the cost when purchased.

If you find that mentoring is your niche then why not start a blog, podcast, or YouTube Channel. This will allow you to provide compelling insights to business, personal development tips and even how-to videos to get subscribers coming into your channel.

Online Side Hustle

Create an Online Course

To build a valuable online course, you will first need to find your niche. “Know your audience and stay on topic. Get rid of the fluff. Once you know your purpose with your content. Stick to teaching how they can achieve that result,” says John Lee Dumas, Host of the Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast.

Testing your product first comes in handy. Give friends and family a demo and ask for their feedback. You can then start marketing to gauge interest among your audience.

Tips for Getting Started

Some quick tips for your digital side hustle include time blocking, where you give yourself structure. Creating and sticking to a daily schedule will give you the discipline to keep going. Use the early mornings for answering e-mails, midday for scheduling posts and the afternoons for marketing.

It also helps if you have a designated workspace for your digital hustle, be it at home or in a coffee house. However, make sure the jobs you choose motivate and encourage you to be productive.

To raise your game websites like edX and Alison offer free courses for any level. They also help you increase your skill levels, be it your day job or side hustle in coding, copywriting or Web design.

Take a look at the rest of the data and e-learning business opportunities in the infographic below.

E-learning Business Opportunities

Tips for Creating a Successful Online Course

Online Side Hustle

Creating a successful online course requires careful planning, engaging content, and effective marketing. As the e-learning market continues to grow, it’s essential to stand out and offer a valuable learning experience to your audience. Follow these tips to ensure the success of your online course:

  • Define Your Niche and Target Audience: Identify a specific niche or topic for your course, and define your target audience. Knowing your audience’s needs and preferences will help you tailor your content to meet their expectations.
  • Set Clear Learning Objectives: Outline clear and achievable learning objectives for your course. Clearly communicate what students will learn and accomplish by the end of the course.
  • Create Engaging Content: Use a variety of multimedia elements, such as video lectures, interactive quizzes, downloadable resources, and practical exercises. Engaging content will keep students interested and motivated throughout the course.
  • Structure the Course Effectively: Organize your course content into modules or sections to make it easy for students to navigate and progress through the material. Provide a logical flow and create a roadmap for learners to follow.
  • Offer Practical and Applicable Knowledge: Focus on delivering practical knowledge and real-world applications. Students are more likely to value and recommend a course that provides them with tangible skills and knowledge they can use in their lives or careers.
  • Provide Ongoing Support and Feedback: Engage with your students through discussion forums, Q&A sessions, and regular feedback. Being responsive to their questions and concerns will enhance the learning experience and foster a sense of community.
  • Ensure User-Friendly Platform and Design: Choose a user-friendly learning management system (LMS) or online course platform. Ensure that the platform is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and accessible on various devices.
  • Price Your Course Competitively: Research the market and price your course competitively. Consider offering early bird discounts or bundle deals to attract more enrollments.
  • Implement Effective Marketing Strategies: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan to promote your course. Utilize social media, email marketing, content marketing, and partnerships with influencers or relevant websites to reach your target audience.
  • Gather and Utilize Feedback: Continuously seek feedback from your students to improve the course content and delivery. Positive reviews and testimonials can boost the credibility and reputation of your online course.
  • Update and Refresh Your Content: Keep your course content up-to-date and relevant. Regularly update your course material to reflect the latest industry trends and developments.
  • Offer Certificates or Recognitions: Provide completion certificates or other recognitions to students who successfully complete the course. Certificates can add value and credibility to your course and encourage students to complete the program.
TipDescription
Define Your Niche and Target AudienceIdentify a specific niche or topic for your course and define your target audience. Understanding your audience's needs and preferences will help you tailor content to meet their expectations and provide a more personalized learning experience.
Set Clear Learning ObjectivesOutline clear and achievable learning objectives for your course. Clearly communicate what students will learn and accomplish by the end of the course. Well-defined objectives help students understand the purpose of the course and stay focused on their learning journey.
Create Engaging ContentUtilize a variety of multimedia elements, such as video lectures, interactive quizzes, downloadable resources, and practical exercises. Engaging content captivates students' attention and motivation, making the learning experience enjoyable and effective.
Structure the Course EffectivelyOrganize course content into modules or sections for easy navigation and progression. A logical flow and roadmap help students understand the course structure, facilitating their learning journey and preventing overwhelming information.
Offer Practical and Applicable KnowledgeFocus on delivering practical knowledge and real-world applications. Providing students with tangible skills and knowledge they can apply in their lives or careers enhances the course's value and encourages positive feedback and recommendations.
Provide Ongoing Support and FeedbackEngage with students through discussion forums, Q&A sessions, and regular feedback. Being responsive to their questions and concerns fosters a sense of community and enhances the learning experience, leading to higher student satisfaction and retention.
Ensure User-Friendly Platform and DesignChoose a user-friendly learning management system (LMS) or online course platform. An intuitive and visually appealing platform accessible on various devices ensures a seamless learning experience, improving student engagement and overall satisfaction.
Price Your Course CompetitivelyResearch the market and set competitive pricing for your course. Offering early bird discounts or bundle deals can attract more enrollments and make your course stand out in a competitive market, maximizing revenue potential and reaching a wider audience.
Implement Effective Marketing StrategiesDevelop a comprehensive marketing plan to promote your course. Utilize social media, email marketing, content marketing, and partnerships with influencers or relevant websites to reach your target audience effectively, increasing course visibility and enrollments.
Gather and Utilize FeedbackContinuously seek feedback from students to improve course content and delivery. Positive reviews and testimonials enhance the course's credibility and reputation, attracting more students and boosting confidence in the quality of your online course.
Update and Refresh Your ContentRegularly update course material to reflect the latest industry trends and developments. Keeping content fresh and relevant ensures students receive up-to-date information, making your course more valuable and trustworthy in the fast-changing e-learning landscape.
Offer Certificates or RecognitionsProvide completion certificates or recognitions to students who successfully complete the course. Certificates add value and credibility to your course, motivating students to complete the program and boosting their confidence in the skills they acquired.

By following these tips and consistently delivering value to your students, you can create a successful and impactful online course. As word spreads about the quality of your course, it can become a valuable asset in generating income and establishing your expertise in the e-learning market. Remember that building a successful online course may take time, but with dedication and continuous improvement, it can become a rewarding venture for both you and your students.

Source: Online Course Report


More in: 2 Comments ▼

Michael Guta Michael Guta is the Assistant Editor at Small Business Trends and currently manages its East African editorial team. Michael brings with him many years of content experience in the digital ecosystem covering a wide range of industries. He holds a B.S. in Information Communication Technology, with an emphasis in Technology Management.

2 Reactions
  1. And don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or until you have things “perfected”. Do your best right now and get it out there. Get feedback. Adjust and make it better. Go for it!

  2. You need to look for ways on how you can create something one-time and it will make money for you again and again. But it is all about learning to create evergreen content.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*